Targeted therapy for lung cancer interrupts cancer cells’ growth and function by targeting exactly what is causing the cell to grow. These therapies are most commonly taken as a pill. Biomarker testing provides information about the makeup of a patient's tumor and helps determine if a patient is eligible for a targeted therapy.
Targeting Biomarkers
Targeted therapy is a treatment for patients who have certain errors, or abnormalities, in their tumors. These abnormalities are often identified through biomarker testing and may appear as mutations, gene fusions, rearrangements, amplifications, or other genetic alterations.
If you think of DNA like words in a book, errors are like typos in the DNA. Errors in DNA can lead to uncontrolled cell growth, or cancer. Targeted therapy works by addressing those “typos”, or errors, in the DNA and stopping the cell growth.
Targeted therapy drugs work differently than chemotherapy. Chemotherapy sends medicine throughout the body to kill many cells, including cancer cells. However, chemotherapy can also kill healthy cells, which may cause certain side effects like hair loss and digestive upset. Targeted therapies sometimes cause fewer side effects because they target exactly what is wrong with the cancer cells instead of killing normal, healthy cells, too.
Types of Targeted Therapy
In general, targeted therapies work by blocking cell growth. There are several ways drugs can do this:
- Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors (TKIs) Work by blocking the processes cells use to grow and divide. They are usually given in pill form.
- Antibody-Drug Conjugates (ADCs) Use aspects of the immune system to bind the drug to the cancer cell. Once the drug and the cancer cell meet, the drug releases chemotherapy into the cell and kills it. ADCs are sometimes called targeted chemotherapies and are usually given through an IV. Learn more about how ADCs work in this video.
- Angiogenesis Inhibitors Work by cutting off nourishment to the cell by stopping the growth of new blood cells. In general, angiogenesis inhibitors are made from something called monoclonal antibodies. Monoclonal antibodies are lab-made versions of a specific immune system protein that target cancer cells. These drugs are often given through an IV.
Biomarkers with Targeted Therapy Options
Biomarker testing can help identify genetic changes in your cancer that may be treated with targeted therapies. For individuals with lung cancer, ensuring that biomarker testing is completed will allow your doctor to see if the tumor has any actionable biomarkers that can be treated with FDA-approved targeted therapies.
Explore the biomarkers below to learn what each one means and how it may help guide treatment decisions with your care team.
ALK
BRAF
EGFR
EGFR Exon 20
HER2
KRAS
MET
NTRK
NRG1
RET
ROS1
Possible Targeted Therapy Side Effects
Targeted therapies for lung cancer can cause side effects, but many people find them more manageable than traditional chemotherapy because these medicines are designed to focus on cancer cells.
The most common effects include:
- Skin changes such as rash or dryness
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- Changes in blood pressure
- Mouth sores
- Swelling
- Changes in liver or thyroid function
A few targeted treatments can affect the heart or lungs, though these reactions are less common.
Most side effects improve when treatment is adjusted or paused, and your care team can help manage them with supportive care, so it’s important to share any new or worsening symptoms as soon as they appear.
Each type of lung cancer treatment option has possible side effects. It is important to know the potential side effects and ways to cope with them before beginning lung cancer treatment.
Discuss concerns, possible side effects and any effects that you experience with your surgeon. Download a list of suggested questions.
Next Steps
Talk with your healthcare team about your biomarker test results and treatment options. Understanding your biomarkers can help determine whether a targeted therapy may be appropriate for your lung cancer.
Page last updated: August 12, 2026
